Rahul challenges Modi to a debate on corruption

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a stinging attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged irregularities in the Rafale deal and public sector banks, and challenged him to a debate on the issue of corruption. Claiming that Modi has waived loans worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore taken by 15 super-rich people, Gandhi said the chowkidar has handed over keys of the banks to thieves and he would return those keys to the people.

The Congress' proposed minimum income guarantee NAYA will be like a surgical strike on poverty, he said adding that the party, after coming to power, would bring a separate budget for farmers, the AICC chief said. About the proposed debate on corruption, he said, "You (Modi) will speak whatever you wish and I will ask just three questions. After 15 minutes, Modi will not be able to show his face to anybody as it would be writ large on his face that chowkidar chor hai." "The questions would be whether or not Anil Ambani accompanied you on your tour of France. Why did you help Anil Ambani get a windfall gain of Rs 30,000 crore? Why, as the French President said, did you decide to award the contract to Anil Ambani instead of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited? You are paying Rs 1,600 crore instead of Rs 526 crore for the aircraft," Gandhi said.

The Congress chief asserted that Wednesday's Supreme Court order on the deal was an affirmation of his stand. In a setback to the Centre, the apex court allowed leaked documents to be relied upon by petitioners seeking review of its Rafale judgement and dismissed the government's preliminary objections claiming "privilege" over them.

Referring to the banking sector scam, Gandhi claimed that Modi has waived loans worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore taken by 15 super-rich people. "The chowkidar has handed over keys of the banks to these thieves. I promise to return these keys to the people of this country," Gandhi said at the rally where local party candidate Tariq Anwar was among those present.

Modi cheated people in the name of curbing black money through demonetisation which was intended to help "big fish like Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi" convert their black money into white, he claimed. "I wonder why all such fraudsters have the common surname," he remarked.

"Before the people could recover from the strains of demonetisation, came the Gabbar Singh Tax (GST) through which Narendra Modi wanted to benefit people like Anil Ambani," Gandhi asserted. The Congress president also spoke about promises made by his party like the Nyay scheme that would ensure Rs 72,000 annual income to the poor.

"It may not sound attractive like the bogus promise of Rs 15 lakh but it is realistic and truthful. the Nyay scheme would be like a surgical strike on poverty. We also propose to bring a separate budget for farmers which would help them have knowledge of the government's policies beforehand," he added. "No farmer would be sent to jail for defaulting on loans. At least not until big defaulters are behind bars," Gandhi said evoking cheers.

"We would also do away with permission required for setting up small businesses. Necessary permissions would be required only after three years when the businesses break even," he added. At the rally held in Seemanchal region of Bihar, which has a sizeable Muslim population, the Congress president charged the BJP with "pitting caste against caste and religion against religion" and claimed "our party knows how to act responsibly and take all people along".

About the controversy that had engulfed the CBI a few months ago, Gandhi alleged, "The agency began to investigate irregularities in Rafale deal. Narendra Modi got its director removed. When Supreme Court ordered his reinstatement, Modi again got the director removed." "Now, with the irregularities out in the open, he has coined the new slogan main bhi chowkidar. Five years ago he sought votes posing as a chowkidar himself and now he wants to deceive the people with the new slogan. He is a chowkidar of the wealthy. I am the chowkidar of the common people," Gandhi said..